Refrigerating system



' April 1935. D. REYNOLDS 1,999,595

REFRIGERATING' SYSTEM F iled May 2, 1952 e Sheets-Sheet 1 Ill lNVENTORDam/'0 A. Fey/704915 4 BY 61444 ATTORNEY D. L. REYNOLDS REFRIGERATINGSYSTEM April 30, 1935.

e Shets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 1932 .llllblllllill-l I INVENTOR 50 [a (.1?00 63 BY {444 ATTORNEY D. 1.. REYNOLDS 1,999,595

REFRIGERATING SYSTEM Filed May 2, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR54/00/03 ATTORNEY Dam/m7 '1 April 30, 1935.

April 30,1935. L, REYNOLD 1,999,595

REFRIGERATING SYSTEM Filed May 2, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORfibril/0n Lgg/ 0% ATTORNE April 30, 1935.

D. L. REYNOLDS REFRIGERATING SYSTEM Filed May 2, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 30, loss 9 1,999,595

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EEFBIGERATING SYSTEM Damian L. Reynolds,Hillsboro, Calif.

Application May 2, 1932, Serial No. 608,699

23 Claims. (Cl. 62-20) This invention relates to refrigerator cars, andinvention is best defined by the appended claims. more particularly tosuch cars that utilize an ice Referring to the drawings: compartment orbunker at one or both ends of Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portiona. the car. Such bunkers are separated from the refrigerator carembodying the invention, the ice cargo compartment by a suitablebulkhead struccompartment being shown in section; 5

ture, so formed as to permit circulation of cold Fig.2 is a diagram of acomplete installation a r from t e bu ker into the Ca space. showing thecirculating system in the cargo com- This circulation, however, is aptto be somepartment; what ineflicient, as it is secured mainly by dif-'Fjgs 3, 4 d 5 are diagrams illustrating vaferences in the density Of001d. and warn]. air. rious forms of the circulating pipes may beFurthermore, the liquid or brine resulting from utilized as desired inmy System;

the melting ice is usually discharged immediate- Fig 5 is an enlargeddetail sectional View,

1y outside or the car, although it is still capable showing thestructure of some of the control M of absorbing a large quantity ofheat. In my prior application, Serial No. 362,674,filed May 13, $2 is adetail section taken m plane 15 1929 for Refrigerator car, I describe asystem in 3 Fig which the melted liquid or brine is retained for aperiod in a deep pan in the bottom of the 8 is an enlarged View m msection bunker in order to permit it to absorb heat. This of the wa {orestablishing the aromatic? 3: application is a continuation in part ofsaid prior of the i refngerant 9r liquor before it is 29 application.dis h h It is one of the objects of my present invention 9 1s sumlar tos cm t to provide a refrigerator car that is an improvemodlfied form of.appamtus' H ment over the said earlier application. In Fig'l there ISshown a car mvmg heat It is another object of my invention to make itlmumted walls floor and constructed m possible to pass the liquid brinecollected in the any suitable or Psual F wheels are pan to cooling coilsor pipes suitably arranged in diagrammatmany Indicated as wen as the thecargo compartment, prior to its discharge, to mam floor beam structureone or both enhance the refrigerating effect. This circulaends 01 thethere provided ice 3" tion or passage of the brine is rendered possiblebunker 'abWe which the usual hatch 80 by the aid of a pumping or suctiondevice which tum is indicatedcan readily be attached to be operated fromAll the bottom of the ice compartment the e mechanism already installedon the car, for is ov d an or co tainer 8 (F ss- 1. 2 and other purposes(such as gas pressurue for air 6) that 08-11 hold a large amount 0!liquid brakes or steam or fluid pressure in general), liquor resultingfrom the e t o the 6B in 36 or indeed the operation can be performed bythe bunker The liquid q o is rmed d to motion of the car itself (such asa pendulum or the fact that Usually common Sa 0 other 0 110- atransmission from one of the axles). ride Salts y be used to lower thepe a It is another object of my invention to make all which the icemelffi- A5 disclosed in X D 40 it possible to operate the circulatingapparatus application, the pp .edges 01 this D '0 40 intermittently, asdetermined by a sufficient actu e inwardly a at IT to vide o e hanclnzcumui tion of refrigerant, either fluid or liquid, ledges, hampering thepp n Over 0! quid such as brine in a collector or pan which may be whenthe is jolted i n y arranged below the ice bunker. started or stopped.

My invention possesses many other advantages, The arrangement is u thate qu d or and has other objects which may be made more qu is caused toaccumulate for 1 pa ereadlly apparent from a consideration of severaltlvely lon pe in Container h all six embodiments of my invention. Forthis purpose Seven hours, In this the qu d 0 quor I have shown a fewforms in the drawings acis utilized to absorb fiddit'lonll and fur- 5ncompanying and forming part of the pre ent, thermore; prior to itsejection out or the car, the specification. I shall now proceed todescribe liquid is passed into the cargo compartment ll these forms indetail, which illustrate the general (Figs. 1, 3,4, and 5), as througha. series oi. pipes,

principles of my invention; but it is to be underto absorb heat directlyfrom-this compartment. stood that this detailed description is not to bePreferably, these pipes for conducting the liquid taken in a limitingsense, since the scope it my or liquor to the cargo compartment arearranged near the ceiling where the hot air tends to accumulate. Thus asshown most clearly in Figs. 1', 2, and 6, the liquid or liquor iscaused, during ejection, to flow upwardly through a discharge pipe l9,extending almost to the bottom of container l6, through an upright pipe2U,'convolutions 2| at the top of the cargo space l8, downwardly throughpipe 22, and out through the discharge 23. The manner in which thisintermittent discharge is automatically accomplished will be laterdescribed.

Any of a number of forms of convolutions adjacent the top of the cargospace can be used; several are shown in diagram form in Figs. 3, 4, and5. In Fig. 3, each ice compartment H has an upright pipe branching at 24to conduits 25, 26 extending across to about the center of the car; thenafter several convolutions, they recombine at 21 to downwardly directedpipe 22.

In Fig. 4, the convolutions 21 extend from each ice bunker M for thefull length of the cargo space, but on opposite sides respectively of alongitudinal center line.

In Fig. 5, only the left hand bunker I4 is shown as providing thecirculatory liquid. The convolutions 28 here are distributed uniformlyover the entire area of the cargo space; and lead to the pipes 20, 22.

It is thus apparent that the cargo space can be quite uniformly cooledand particularly where there is apt to be the greatest accumulation ofheat. This is in contradistinction to the old systems whereby warm airenters the ice bunkers at the top and near the end of the car only,while cold air escapes from below the ice and at the end of the caronly.

In the present instance, the control of the circulation and finalejection of the refrigerant, liquid or liquor is obtained by a floatvalve mechanism responding to the accumulation of liquid or liquor ofsuiflcient quantity. This mechanism is most clearly disclosed in Figs.1, 2, and 6. It includes a large float 29 in tank or container l6, thatvirtuallycoversthe whole area of the tank and that therefore also tendsto keep the liquid or liquor from excessive motion. .However, in lieu ofsuch a float mechanism, other mechanism, operating in response to theaccumulation of liquid or to the condition of the circulating systemcould be used.

When the liquid or liquor in tank I 6 reaches a definite level, thefloat 28 reaches a position such that the bottom of a slot 30 on anupright member 3| fastened to the float, engages a pin 32. This pin islocated at the end of a link 33, pivoted to a lever 34. This lever inturn is pivotally mounted at 35 on a standard 36 which may beconveniently supported on pipe 22. It is apparent that further rise offloat 29 will rotate lever 34 in a counterclockwise direction, and thismt tion is utilized to operate valves for permitting the container I6 todischarge.

Thus there is a valve structure 31 (Figs. 1, 2, and 6) which normallycloses the passage from pipe I! to pipe 20. This valve structureincludes a body that has a flange 38 serving as a support for the valve,as well as for a valve structure 39 for controlling the discharge outlet23. For this purpose, flange 38 is securely fastened to the side of thecontainer l6. Extending from this flange is an elbow 39 for the pipe l9,providing a connection into the valve structure 31.

This valve structure has a seat '40 cooperating .with a closure 4|. Astem 42 (Figs. 6 and ,7) extends from the closure downwardly and througha. stufling box 43. At the end ofthe stem there is a clevis 44 having alost motion connection with a lever 45 pivoted at 46 on flange 3B. Theend of the lever 45 is pivoted to a link 41 joined to an intermediatepoint of operating lever 34. The lost motion connection is provided byslots 48 in clevis 44, and a transverse pin 49 carried by lever 45 andentering the slots.

It is thus apparent that, as lever 34 rises due to the force exertedupon it from the float 23, link 41 is pulled upwardly, lever 45 rises,and after a short movement, urgesstem 43 upwardly to open the valve 31,and to establish communication between pipe [9 and pipe 20. The samemotion'of lever 34 serves to open the discharge valve closure 50 inoutlet 23, to permit the liquid or liquor circulating in pipes 2| to bedischarged outside of the car. Thus valve closure 50 has a stem 5|extending through the stufllng box 52 and carrying a clevis 53 in whichpin 49 is engaged. In this instance there is no lost motion connectionbetween clevis 53 and lever 45, whereby it is ensured that the vent 23is opened before valve 31 is opened. This order of opening the valves isadvantageous for the reasons now to be explained.

In order to lift the liquid or liquor from tank I6 upwardly to pipe 2|,it is necessary to utilize some pumping arrangement or its equivalent.The means for accomplishing this in the present instance, is apparatusfor establishing a siphon action, as by producing a partial vacuum abovetank IS, in a manner to be later described. Since discharge 23 isconsiderably below this tank, it is apparent that the siphon willcompletely empty the tank, once it is established. It is for this reasonthat care is taken to open discharge 23 before valve 31 is opened. Ifthere should be a slight leak near the bottom of the system, and valve50 should open last, the siphon action may be broken, or indeed, areverse siphon may tend to be established.

Before describing the apparatus for establishing the siphon action whenthe valves open, it is desirable to complete the description of thefloat mechanism. Referring again to Fig. 6, the arrangement is such thatthe friction of the parts, such as the motion of the valve stems in thestuflingboxes, serve to retain the mechanism in open or closed positiononce such a position is established. Thus when pin 32 is pushed upwardlyby float 29, the valves 31, 23 remain open even after float 29 recedesas the tank I empties. After the float, however, reaches a lowerposition corresponding to substantial emptying of tank II, the upper endof slot 30 engages pin 32 and positively recloses the valves by pullinglever 34 downwardly by the weight of the float.

One manner in which the siphon is established is illustrated in Fig. 8.In this case, there is shown a suitable reciprocating vacuum pump 44, ofany convenient'form. For example, it may be provided with areciprocating piston 55 having arod 56, for reciprocating the piston.Each of the heads 51, 53 of the pump is provided with a port 59, 30 anda one-way or check valve BI, 32. A T connection 63 connects to a vacuumpipe 44 (Figs. 2 and 8) which connects to the top of the system; forexample, above pipe .20. As piston 55 reciprocates, it alternately pullsa vacuum from pipe 64 through ports 59 and 80, past the respective.valve Si or 82. However, upon a return stroke, the piston urges the-aircollected through the spring pressed outlet valve 35, 83, attached tothe upper end of the pipe 31 or 43 leading respectively to the ports 59,60. Since this type of vacuum mechanism is well known, furtherdescription thereof is unnecessary.

Since a vacuum is created at or near the top of the system by thisarrangement, it is apparent that the liquid or liquor will rise throughpipe 20 and a siphonwill be established, passing the liquid or liquorthrough pipes 2I and out at the foot valve 23. The difference in thelevel of intake and discharge (corresponding to the height of the levelin tank I6 above valve 29) is small enough to ensure a rather slow rateof discharge, to'give ample opportunity for the liquid or liquor toabsorb heat while-passing through pipes 2i.

Furthermore, the arrangement is such that as soon as the siphon isestablished, the pump is stopped. This arrangement will now bedescribed, in connection with the mechanism for reciprocating the pistonrod 56.

The rod 56 .is shown as directly joined to a reciprocating piston 69 ina cylinder 10. This is an air cylinder, so arranged that the compressedair used for the brake mechanism urges the piston 99 in eitherdirection; For example, at the left hand end of the cylinder 19 there isan air inlet 1i and an air outlet 12. correspondingly at the right handend, there'is an air inlet 13 and an air outlet 14. When air underpressure is passed through inlet H, to urge piston 99 to the right, thepassage 13 at the right is active to carry away the air on the right ofpiston 69; and passageways 12, 19 are blocked. However, after a definitemovement, the air connections are changed to block passages II, 13' andto render passageways 12, 19 active, causing piston 69 to move to theleft. This reciprocating cycle is repeated until the supply of air isinterrupted in a manner to be described.

The control of the passages ll, 12, 19, 19 can be accomplished by apiston valve 15 sliding in a housing 16 and operated in accordance withthe operation of piston 69. At the particular instant shown, air passesto the left of piston 69 urging toward the right, through the followingpassages: from pipe 11 connected to the train air line 19, through cap19, opening 90 in housing 19, annular passage 8| of valve 15, andpassage ii. At the same time, air is exhausted from the right hand ofpiston 69, through passage 19,

housing 19, and vent 82 to the air'. Passages 12 and 19 are interruptedby the valve 15 resting over the corresponding openings in housing 19.

Now as piston 69 moves to the right, it will at the extremity of itsstroke, push valve 19 to the right, by the aid of collar 93 on rod 99passing through valve 19. The movement .of valve 15 continues until itblocks passages 1I and 19, and uncovers passages 12 and 19. In thatposition, train air will be passed through passage 13 to move piston 99to the left. and passage 12 will be uncovered to exhaust air from theleft hand of piston 99, through vent 99. Upon sufficient movement ofpiston 99 to the left, collar 99 on stem 99 will move valve "to theposition shown,

and the cycle is repeated.

The pump mechanism just described operates so iongas air is permitted topass to passage 99 guided in a packing gland 99 for cap 19, and as'ioined to a rod 99, fastened to a corrugated diaphragm 9|. Thisdiaphragm is arranged to be acted upon by the weight of the column ofbrine which is in the system while the siphon is operat ing, to depressthe rod 99 and close opening 99. Thus diaphragm 9i is held tightly'atits edges in the two stationarily supported casing halves 92 and 93. Theupper half 92 is connected as by elbow 99 and conduit 95 to discharge 29so that the weight of the liquid .or liquor while the siphon is active,is effective on the upper surface of the diaphragm.

Normally, however, a compression spring 99 acts on a collar 91 on stemor rod 90 to hold the rod up and closure 81 away from closing position.Spring 99 is conveniently accommodated in a tubular extension 98 ofeasing half 99, and its lower: end rests on a plug 99 closing theextension and serving as an additional guide for rod 90.

Ordinarily, spring 98 is adjusted so that a substantial preponderance ofpressure is necessary to close valve 81. This ensures against thepossibility of an imperfect siphon action which may occur if valve 81 isclosed, too soon, causing the retention of air in conduits 2|. Pipe 99is, however, connected to pipe 29 at a point considerably abovediaphragm 9I, to provide'a suilicient head of liquid in the columnformed by pipe 29 sufficiently to compress spring 99 only when a fullsiphon action is initiated.

-By reference to Fig. 2, the operation of the system can now be brieflyexplained. While brine is collecting in tank I6, float 29 resting on topof the'accumulated liquid, is in an intermediate position, pin 92 beingin an intermediate point on slot 99. The valves 23, 91 are closed, andair is merely pumped out from pipes 2| by pump 59. Valve 91, controllingthe pump operation, is open and held in that position by spring 96. Assoon as the accumulation of liquid causes float 29 to operate lever 99,valves 91, 29 are opened, and the vacuum pump 59 now operates toestablish the siphon, by evacuating the airin pipes 2I. when this isaccomplished, the diaphragm 9i is depressed, closing opening 99 andstopping the pump. The brine is now elected from valve 23 by the siphonaction. When this election corresponds to a lowering of float 29 topull'lever 99 downwardly, valves 91, 29 are closed, and the siphonaction ceases. The cycle is then repeated upon an additional sui'llcientaccumulation of brine, or other refrigerant or liquor in tank I9. Shouldthe siphon break for any reason, during the period of ejection, closure91 moves to open position, and vacuum pump 94 is again effective toreestablish the siphon.

If desired, an air exhaust valve I09 (Pig. 2) can be provided in thevacuum pipe 99, as well as a siphon fill valve III in pipe 99, which maybe used for testing or for illling the system. Thus with valve I09 open,the valve I9I can be used to fill the system, after which valve I99 mustbe closed.

In Fig. 9, an alternative form of mechanism for driving the vacuum pump99' is disclosed. In this case, a pendulum I9? is shown as suspended onbracket I99 on the pump head 99, which swings as the car moves, and itsoscillations are used to reciprocate the piston 99. Thus a link I99 canconnect an intermediate point of the pendulum I92 to the rod 99. Anadjustable weight I99 is provided for controlling the period and forceof the oscillations.

In this instance, the pumping action is controlled as before, by thehead of the liquid In the pipes when the siphon is started. Thus thevacuum 95, becoming filled with liquid or liquor when the-action starts,is connected to the upper end of a diaphragm casing I06. This liquiddepresses diaphragm I08, and therefore the rod I connected thereto,against the action of the cbmpression spring I09. This rod I01 carries avalve closure H in a sealed chamber III that is interposed ,in thevacuum line 64. Rod I01 extends into chamber III through gland H2 and isopposed to the bottom opening of the chamber. Valve closure IIO closesthis opening and interrupts communication from pump 54 to pipe 64, whendiaphragm I08 is depressed, and the pump 54 becomes ineffective. Thediaphragm arrangement I06, I01 I08, I09 is similar in action to thatdescribed in connection with Fig. 8.

4 In order to ensure against corrosion or oxidation of those parts incontact with the refrigerant, it is preferable to make all or some ofsuch parts of material resistant to such corrosion or oxidation. Thismay include tank I6, as well as the conduits 20, 2|, valves 23, 31, 39and their controls.

Should the siphon mechanism for any reason fail of operation, an extrasafeguard for emptying the tank I6 upon excessive accumulation, can beprovided. This is illustrated in Fig. 6. A discharge pipe I06 extendsthrough the floor of the car and up into the tank IS, the upper endthereof corresponding to the extreme limit of accumulation. Surroundingthis pipe is a tube I01, closed at the top but having an opening I08near the bottom to permit liquid from tank I6 to rise therein. As soonas the liquid level in tank I 6 reaches the top of pipe I06, through theannular space between tube I01 and pipe I06, a siphon is established,emptying the tank completely outside of the car. In this way, accidentalflooding of the car floor is prevented. It is to be understood, however,that this mechanism is inactive in the range of operation of float 29.

I claim:

1. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, said compartment and ice bunker being in air circulatingrelationship, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the meltingice, means for circulating the collected liquid in the cargocompartment, and means, acting in response to the accumulation of adefinite amount of liquid, for initiating the operation ofthe'circulating means.

2. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker,-saicl compartment and ice bunker being in air circulatingrelationship, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the meltingice, means intermittently active to circulate the said collected liquidin the cargo compartment, and a float mechanism responsive to a definiterise or fall of level of the collected liquid for controlling saidliquid circulating means.

3. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, said compartment and ice bunker being in air circulatingrelationship, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the meltingice, means for circulating the collected liquid in the cargocompartment, and means, acting in response to the accumulation of adefinite amount of liquid, for initiating the operation of thecirculating means, comprising means ensuring that said circulating meansremains active until the accumulated liquid is reduced to a definiteamount.

4. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, said compartment and ice bunker being in air circulatingrelationship, means fomdollecting the liquid resulting from the meltingice, means for passing the liquid into the cargo compartment upon adefinite accumulation, and means ensuring the continuation of thepassage of liquid until the remaining collected liquid is reduced to adefinite amount.

5. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting ice,means intermittently acting to establish a siphon action to pass theliquid to the cargo compartment, and means responsive to theestablishing of the siphon to render this establishing meansineffective.

6. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting icein a space below the bunker, a conduit leading from the space to ahigher level in the cargo compartment, vacuum producing means acting ona high part of the conduit to produce a siphon action therethrough, andmeans for rendering said vacuum producing means ineffective in responseto the establishment of the siphon action.

7. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting icein a space below the bunker, a conduit leading from the space to ahigher level in the cargo compartment, vacuum producing means acting ona high part of the conduit toproduce a siphon action therethrough, andmeans for rendering said vacuum producing means ineffective in responseto the establishment of the siphon action, comprising a valve closureacted upon by the weight of the siphon column to interrupt thecommunication between the vacuum producing means and the siphon.

8. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting icein a space below the bunker, a conduit leading from the space to ahigher level in the cargo compartment, and vacuum producing means actingon a high part of the conduit to produce a siphon action therethrough,comprising a pump and fluid operated means for operating the pump.

9. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting icein a space below the bunker, a conduit leading from the space to ahigher level in the cargo compartment, and vacuum producing means actingon a high part of the conduit to produce a siphon action therethrough,comprising a pump, and a pendulum for operating the pump.

10. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting icein a space below the bunker, a conduit leading from the space to ahigher level in the cargo compartment, vacuum producing means acting ona high part of the conduit to produce a siphon action therethrough, amechanism for driving the pump, and means responsive to theestablishment of the siphon for rendering said mechanism ineffective.

11. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting icein a space below the bunker, a conduit leading from the space to ahigher "level in the cargo compartment, vacuum producing means acting ona high part of the conduit to produce a siphon action therethrough, amechanism for driving the pump, and means responsive to theestablishment of the siphon for rendering said mechanism ineifective,comprising a valve closure operated by the weight of the siphon column.

12. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting ice,a'condult leading from the collected liquid, into the cargo compartment,and finally out of the car, a valve controlling the intake of liquidinto the conduit, another valve controlling the discharge of liquid fromthe conduit, and means responsive to a definite accumulation of liquidto open the valves and to initiate a siphon action through the conduit.

13. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting ice,'a conduit leading from the collected liquid, into the cargocompartment, and finally out of the car, a valve controlling the intakeof liquid into the conduit, another valve controlling the discharge ofliquid from the conduit, and means responsive to a definite accumulationof liquid to open the valves in succession, the intake valve openinglast, and to initiate a siphon action through the conduit.

14. In an-ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting ice,a conduit leading from the collected liquid, into the cargo compartment,and finally out of the car, a valve controlling the intake of liquidinto the conduit, another valve controlling the discharge of liquid fromthe conduit, and means responsive to a definite accumulation of liquidto open the valves and to initiate a siphon action through the conduit,comprising a float, and a member movable by the fioat to open saidvalves when the liquid reaches a definite level.

15. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and anice-bunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting from the meltingice, a conduit leading'from thecollected liquid, into the cargocompartment, and finally out of the car, a valve controlling the intakeof liquid into the conduit, another valve controlling the discharge ofliquid from theconduit, and means responsive to a definite accumulationof liquid to open the valves and to initiate a siphon action through theconduit, comprising a float, and a member movable by the float to openthe discharge valve and the intake valve in succession when the liquidreaches a definite level.

16. In apparatus of the character described, a container for arefrigerant liquid, a conduit for passing the liquid to a space to becooled, a vacuum producing means for establishing a siphon action forejecting the liquid through the conduit, and means controlling saidvacuum producing means, to render it ineffective when the siphon isestablished, and to render it effective when the siphon breaks.

1']. In apparatus of the character described, a container for arefrigerant liquid, a conduit for passing the liquid to a space to becooled, a constantly operating vacuum producing means for establishing asiphon action for ejecting the liquid through the conduit, and includinga vacuum connection to the conduit, means responsive to theestablishment of the siphon for interrupting said connection, andresponsive to a break in the siphon for reestablishing said connection.

18. In a refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an ice bunker,means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting ice, aconduit above the liquid level and having an intake portion extending tothe collecting means, said conduit passing into the cargo compartment,and means active upon reaching a' definite level of collected liquid toinitiate a siphon action through the conduit.

19. In a refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an ice bunker,means for collecting the liquid resulting from the melting ice, aconduit above the liquid level and having an intake portion extending tothe collecting means, said conduit passing into the cargo compartment,and means active upon reaching a definite level of collected liquid toinitiate a siphon action through the conduit, comprising a float valvecontrolling the passage 01 liquid into the conduit, and a vacuumproducing means effective at a level higher than the liquid in theconduit.

20. In a refrigerator car having a cargo com partment and an ice bunker,means for collecting the liquid resulting from themelting ice, a conduitabove the liquid level and having an intake portion extending to thecollecting means, said conduit passing into the cargo compartment, andmeans active upon reaching a definite level of collected liquid toinitiate a siphon action through the conduit, comprising a float valvecontrolling the passagepf liquid into the conduit, a valve operated inaccordance with the float valve and controlling the ejection of theliquid from the conduit, and a vacuum producing means eflective at ahigher level in the conduit than the level of the collected liquid.

21. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means forcollecting the liquid resulting from the melting ice ina space below the bunker, a conduit leading from the space to a higherlevel in the cargo compartment, means initiating a siphon through theconduit from the space, and means for rendering saidsiphoninitiatingmeans ineffective in response to the establishment of thesiphon action, comprising a movable control member for said initiatingmeans, means yieldingly urging said member to cause'said initiatingmeans to function, and-means whereby a head of liquid in the siphoncolumn is opposed to said yielding means to cause the member to move torender the initiating means ineffective, said head being sufficientlylarge to ensure complete siphon action.

22. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for col-' lecting the liquid resulting from the meltingice, a conduit leading from the collected liquid, into the cargocompartment and finally out of the car, a valve controlling the intakeof liquidinto the conduit, and means responsive to a definiteaccumulation of liquid to open the valve and to initiate a siphon actionthrough the conduit.

23. In an ice refrigerator car having a cargo compartment and an icebunker, means for collecting the liquid resulting'from the r elting ice,a conduit leading from the collected liquid into the cargo compartmentand finally out of the car, a valve controlling the discharge of theliquid from the conduit, and means responsive to 8. definiteaccumulation of liquid to open the valve and to initiate a siphon actionthrough the conduit.

DAMIAN L. REYNOLDS.

